The funds, administered from the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Secure Our School’s program, are designed to help local law enforcement and schools with enhanced school safety resources and equipment. In Scotch Plains, the funds would be used to purchase and install new security cameras – for both indoors and outdoors – at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.

According to local officials, the funds were part of a proactive approach to increase school safety and not in a direct response to any particular incident. The overall school safety plan includes providing school officials inside the school and law enforcement at the police station the ability to monitor the school grounds.

“We need to do everything we can to make our children are safe at schools,” said Lance. “These important funds will give education professional and law enforcement extra eyes and ears on the ground to ensure our kids our safe. I commend the entire community of Scotch Plains for being proactive and requesting these funds.”

“As a community we are working hard to ensure our schools are safe and secure – despite challenging budgets,” said Mayor Nancy Malool. “These important federal funds will assist our law enforcement and school community in their efforts to keep our children safe. We appreciate this federal grant, we appreciate Congressman Lance’s support and we are very pleased to add just one more layer of protection to benefit our children. ”

According to the Justice the Secure Our Schools program will provide law enforcement agencies and schools funds to install metal detectors, locks, lighting, fencing, closed-circuit surveillance systems and other equipment to help deter crime. The grants can also be used to pay half of the cost of security assessments, security training, and other measures that will provide a significant improvement in school security.